"Keep Jehovah Before You Constantly"

This is the Watchtower Study from the February 15, 2008 Members Only Edition. They start out with a verse.

Psalms 16:8 I have placed Jehovah in front of me constantly

I wish they also included the following one.

Hebrews 12:2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Praise Jesus!

P1 JEHOVAH'S written Word contains a splendid record of God's dealings with mankind. It mentions many people who have figured in the outworking of God's purpose. Of course, their words and deeds are not included in the Bible as mere stories for our enjoyment. Instead, such accounts can draw us closer to God.-Jas. 4:8.

So are they going to place Jesus in front of them constantly?

P2 All of us can learn much from the experiences of well-known Bible characters—Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Ruth, David, Esther, the apostle Paul, and others. However, accounts about less prominent individuals can also benefit us. Meditating on Bible narratives can help us to act in harmony with the psalmist's words: "I have placed Jehovah in front of me constantly. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be made to totter." (Ps. 16:8) How are we to understand these words?

They have already excluded Jesus Christ.

P3 A soldier usually wielded his sword with his right hand, leaving that side unprotected by the shield held in his left hand. Yet, he was protected if a friend fought near him on his right. If we keep Jehovah in mind and do his will, he will protect us. So let us see how considering Bible accounts can strengthen our faith so that we "keep Jehovah always before[us]."—Byington.

The Watchtower's usual bag: do things for God so He will do things for you.

P4 If we keep Jehovah before us, he will answer our prayers. (Ps. 65:2; 66:19) We have proof of this in the case of Abraham's oldest servant, likely Eliezer. Abraham sent him to Mesopotamia to obtain a God-fearing wife for Isaac. Eliezer prayed for divine guidance and recognized it as such when Rebekah watered his camels. Because he was prayerful, Eliezer found the one who became Isaac's beloved wife. (Gen. 24:12-14, 67) True, Abraham's servant was on a special mission. But should we not be just as confident that Jehovah hears our prayers?

How does proof become not-so-foolproof in just a few sentences?

P5 At times, we may need to pray quickly for God's help. On one occasion, Persian King Artaxerxes noticed that his cupbearer Nehemiah was gloomy. "What is this that you are seeking to secure?" asked the king. "At once [Nehemiah] prayed to the God of the heavens." Nehemiah could not linger in that apparently silent prayer. Yet, God answered it, for Nehemiah was given the king's support to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. [Read Nehemiah 2:1-8.) Yes, even a brief, silent prayer can be effective.

Yes and God also knows what we need before we do.

P6 We are urged to "pray for one another," even though we do not always get immediate proof that such prayers are being answered. (Jas. 5:16) Epaphras, "a faithful minister of the Christ," prayed earnestly for those related to him in the faith. Writing from Rome, Paul said: "Epaphras, who is from among you [Colossians], a slave of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always exerting himself in your behalf in his prayers, that you may finally stand complete and with firm conviction in all the will of God. I indeed bear him witness that he puts himself to great effort in behalf of you and of those at Laodicea and of those at Hierapolis/'-Col. 1:7; 4:12,13.

Thank you brother Epaphras, Christ's love for you is a blessing!

P7 Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis were cities in the same area of Asia Minor. Christians at Hierapolis lived among worshippers of the goddess Cybele, materialism threatened those in Laodicea, and the Colossians were endangered by human philosophy.(Col. 2:8) No wonder Epaphras, who was from Colossae, 'exerted himself in prayers' for believers in that city! The Bible does not disclose how the prayers of Epaphras were answered, but he did not stop praying for fellow believers; neither should we. Although we are not 'busybodies in other people's matters,' perhaps we know that a family member or a friend is experiencing a severe test of faith. (1 Pet. 4:15) How appropriate it would be to pray privately in his behalf! Paul was helped by the supplications of others, and our prayers can likewise do much good. -2 Cor. 1:10,11.

Would it be inappropriate to pray on someone's behalf publicly?

P8 Do others look upon us as men and women of prayer? After Paul met with the elders from Ephesus, "he kneeled down with all of them and prayed." Then "quite a bit of weeping broke out among them all, and they fell upon Paul's neck and tenderly kissed him, because they were especially pained at the word he had spoken that they were going to behold his face no more." (Acts 20:36-38) We do not know the names of all those elders, but it is evident that they appreciated the importance of prayer. Surely we ought to cherish the privilege of praying to God and should 'lift up loyal hands' in faith that our heavenly Father will answer us.—1 Tim. 2:8.

Try kneeling down or lifting up your hands in prayer at a Kingdom Hall.

P9 Keeping Jehovah in mind constantly will help us to obey him, and we will reap blessings as a consequence. (Deut. 28:13; 1 Sam. 15:22) This calls for an obedient spirit. Consider the attitude of five fleshly sisters, the daughters of Zelophehad, who lived in Moses' day. Among the Israelites, sons customarily received the inheritance from their fathers. The man Zelophehad died without sons, and Jehovah directed that these five women were to receive the entire inheritance—on one condition. They had to marry sons of Manassen so that the inherited property would remain with the same tribe.—Num. 27:1-8; 36: 6-8.

P10 Zelophehad's daughters had faith that things would work out well if they obeyed God. "Just as Jehovah had commanded Moses, that is the way the daughters of Zelophehad did," says the Bible. "Accordingly Mahlah, Tirzah and Hoglah and Milcah and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, became the wives of the sons of their father's brothers. To some of the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph they became wives, that their inheritance might continue together with the tribe of the family of their father." (Num. 36:10-12) Those obedient women did what Jehovah commanded. (Josh. 17:3, 4) With similar faith, spiritually mature unmarried Christians obey God by marrying "only in the Lord."—1 Cor. 7:39.

Perhaps JW's are not marrying other JW's.

P11 We need to obey Jehovah completely, as the Israelite Caleb did. (Deut. 1:36) After Israel's deliverance from Egypt in the 16th century B.C.E., Moses sent 12 men to spy out Canaan, but only 2 of the spies—Caleb and Joshua—urged the people to have full trust in God and enter the land. (Num. 14:6-9) Some four decades later, Joshua and Caleb were still alive and following Jehovah fully, and God used Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. However, the ten faithless spies evidently died during Israel's 40-year trek in the wilderness.—Num. 14:31-34.

Obeying God even if it means disobeying the Governing Body?

P12 As an elderly survivor of Israel's experience in the wilderness, Caleb could stand before Joshua and say: "I followed Jehovah my God fully." (Read Joshua 14:6-9.) Eighty-five-year-old Caleb asked that he be given the mountainous region that God had promised him, although it was inhabited by enemies in their great fortified cities.-Josh. 14:10-15.

P13 Like faithful and obedient Caleb, we will have divine support if we 'follow Jehovah fully.' If we face great obstacles, we will be blessed as we 'follow Jehovah fully.' But doing so throughout life, as Caleb did, can be a challenge. Although King Solomon started out very well, his wives inclined his heart to serve false gods in his old age, and "he did not follow Jehovah fully like David his father."(1 Ki. 11:4-6) Regardless of the trials we must face, may we always obey God completely and keep him before us constantly.

Completely and constantly, can they do that themselves?

P14 We need to trust in God especially when we are depressed because our future seems bleak. Consider elderly Naomi, who lost her husband and her two sons to the enemy death. When she returned to Judah from Moab, she lamented: "Do not call me Naomi ["My Pleasantness," ftn.]. Call me Mara ["Bitter,"ftn.], for the Almighty has made it very bitter for me. I was full when I went, and it is empty-handed that Jehovah has made me return. Why should you call me Naomi, when it is Jehovah that has humiliated me and the Almighty that has caused me calamity?" -Ruth 1:20, 21.

P15 Although Naomi was distressed, a careful reading of the book of Ruth shows that she kept on trusting in Jehovah. And how things changed for her! Naomi's widowed daughter-in-law Ruth became the wife of Boaz and gave birth to a son. Naomi became the child's nurse, and the account says: "The neighbor ladies gave it a name, saying: 'A son has been born to Naomi/ And they began to call his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, David's father." (Ruth 4:14-17) When Naomi is resurrected to life on earth, she will learn that Ruth, who will also be there, became an ancestress of Jesus, the Messiah. (Matt. 1:5,6, 16) Like Naomi, we cannot be sure of how negative situations will turn out. Therefore, let us always trust in God, just as we are admonished at Proverbs 3:5, 6: "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean upon your own understanding. In all your ways take notice of him, and he himself will make your paths straight."

Knowing God is Sovereign over all helps! Also, is God's Word not direct enough?

P16 If we keep Jehovah before us constantly, he will lead us by his holy spirit (Gal. 5:16-18) God's spirit was upon the 70 older men chosen to help Moses in "carrying the load of the people" of Israel. Only Eldad and Medad are named, but the spirit enabled all of them to carry out their duties. (Num. 11:13-29) Undoubtedly, they were capable, God-fearing, trustworthy, and honest like those chosen earlier. (Ex. 18:21) Such qualities are displayed by Christian elders today.

By a force such as electricity or gravity? How about by God the Holy Spirit?

Acts 5:3 Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God."

Acts 13:2 While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." 3 So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off

P17 Jehovah's holy spirit played an important role in the construction of the tabernacle in the wilderness. Jehovah appointed Bezalel as the principal artisan and builder of the tabernacle, promising to "fill him with the spirit of God in wisdom and in understanding and in knowledge and in every kind of craftsmanship." (Ex. 31:3-5) Men "wise of heart" worked with Bezalel and his assistant Oholiab in carrying out that wonderful assignment. Moreover, Jehovah's spirit moved willinghearted people to make generous contributions.(Ex. 31:6; 35:5, 30-34) That same spirit motivates God's present-day servants to do all they can to promote Kingdom interests.(Matt. 6:33) We may have certain abilities, but we need to pray for holy spirit and let it lead us if we are to accomplish the work Jehovah has given his people in our day.—Luke 11:13.

Are their Kingdom interests the same as God's?

Matthew 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Luke 13:3 I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.

Please, repent for your wrongdoings and trust solely in Jesus Christ, this brings glory to the Holy Father.

P18 The holy spirit produces within us a reverent attitude that keeps Jehovah before us constantly. God's ancient people were told: "Jehovah of Armies you are to revere as holy." (Isa. 8:13, Byington) Two reverent elderly persons in first-century Jerusalem were Simeon and Anna. (Read Luke 2:25-38,) Simeon put faith in the Messianic prophecies and was "waiting for Israel's consolation." God poured out holy spirit upon Simeon and assured him that he would live to see the Messiah. And that is what happened. One day in the year 2 B.C.E., Jesus was brought to the temple by Mary and Joseph, the infant's mother and adoptive father. Moved by holy spirit, Simeon uttered prophetic words about the Messiah and foretold sorrow for Mary, who experienced grief when Jesus was impaled on a torture stake. But imagine the great joy Simeon experienced when he took into his arms "the Christ of Jehovah"! And what a fine example of reverence Simeon set for God's servants today!

Does that mean a JW can offer praise and thanksgiving directly to Jesus Christ?

Isaiah 8:13 The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy

Isaiah 48:11 For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another.

John 17:5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.

Revelation 4:13 Then I heard every living thing in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and in the sea and all that are in them. They were saying, "Thanks and honor and shining-greatness and all power are to the One Who sits on the throne and to the Lamb forever." 14 The four living beings kept saying, "Let it be so!" And the twenty-four leaders fell down and worshiped.

Thank you for taking my sins upon that cross Lord!

P19 The reverent 84-year-old widow Anna "was never missing from the temple." She rendered sacred service to Jehovah night and day "with fastings and supplications." Anna too was present when the babe Jesus was brought to the temple. How grateful she was to see the future Messiah! Indeed, she "began returning thanks to God and speaking about the child to all those waiting for Jerusalem's deliverance." Anna just had to share this good news with others! Like Simeon and Anna, elderly Christians today are very glad that people are never too old to serve Jehovah as his Witnesses.

She preached Christ even as He was a baby!

P20 Regardless of our age, we need to keep Jehovah before us constantly. Then he will bless our humble efforts to tell others about his kingship and his wonderful works. (Ps. 71:17,18; 145:10-13) If we are to honor Jehovah, however, we must display godly qualities. What can we learn about such traits by examining further Bible accounts?

Jehovah's Kingship

Psalms 145:10 All you have made will praise you, O LORD; your saints will extol you. 11 They will tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, 12 so that all men may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made

Hebrews 1:8 But about the Son he says, "Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever, and righteousness will be the scepter of your kingdom

Psalm 2:6 "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill." 7 I will proclaim the decree of the LORD : He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery."

2 Peter 1:11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 43:15 I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel's Creator, your King."

John 1:49 Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."